Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection is an infection of various parts of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Urinary tract infection may be treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics are not always needed. If this disease is not treated on time, it may damage the kidneys.

This disease is very common among different people, including children, the elderly, and patients with diabetes.

Symptoms of urinary tract infection

Symptoms of urinary tract infection include the following:

• Pain or burning sensation when urinating

• Frequent visits to the bathroom

• Cloudy urine

• Urgency to urinate

• The presence of blood in the urine

• Pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, especially under the ribs

• Fever and chills

• Body temperature below 36 degrees

Symptoms of urinary tract infection in children

• Have a high fever

• They look unhappy and restless and do not eat well

• Urinary incontinence (incontinence)

• Nausea and vomiting

Symptoms of infection in the elderly

• In elderly people and people with urinary catheters and disabled, the symptoms can include:

• Changes in behavior including feelings of confusion and restlessness

• Lack of urinary control, urinary incontinence, which is generally more than normal

• A new shivering sensation

When should we see a doctor?

You must see a doctor in the following cases:

• If a person has symptoms of a urinary tract infection for the first time.

• The child has symptoms of urinary tract infection.

• Men who have symptoms of urinary tract infection.

• pregnant women

• Disabled and elderly people

• Symptoms after surgery

• Urinary tract infection symptoms that have not resolved within 2 days.

• Urinary tract infection symptoms that have recurred after treatment.

If any of the following are evident, the patient should go to the emergency room immediately:

• Very high fever with chills

• Body temperature below 36 degrees

• Confusion and sleepiness and difficulty speaking

• Failure to urinate throughout the day

• Back pain under the ribs with fever

• The presence of blood in the urine

• The above cases indicate a kidney infection that needs to be treated as soon as possible

Treatment of urinary tract infection

In cases where antibiotic treatment is started, it is necessary for the patient to complete the course in our hospital

Treatment for recurrent infections

• If a person gets a urinary tract infection again after treating a urinary tract infection, it is recommended to do a urine test so that a new and different antibiotic is prescribed.

• In postmenopausal women, vaginal creams containing estrogen will also help.

Self-healing measures to help relieve pain

• Use acetaminophen 4 times a day to reduce fever and pain, generally acetaminophen is recommended instead of ibuprofen and aspirin.

• Children can be given acetaminophen syrup

• take a rest

• Drink enough fluids so that the color of your urine is completely clear, especially in hot weather

• Do not have sex until the symptoms are completely cured. UTI is not transmitted to your sexual partner, but having sex can be annoying.

• Keep in mind that research has shown that taking medications containing cranberry does not help improve urinary symptoms

• If the symptoms become severe and you do not have access to a doctor, you can go to the pharmacy and consult the pharmacist

• Using a suitable diet such as blueberries, orange juice, lime juice,

Common causes of urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection is usually manifested by the entry of bacteria into the urinary system through feces, the infection has entered the urinary tract, women generally have a shorter urethra than men, so the risk of infection and the chance of germs entering the kidneys and bladder are higher.

Things that increase the chance of getting a urinary tract infection include:

• sex

• Being pregnant and pregnancy

• Obstruction in the urinary system such as kidney stones

• Conditions that make emptying the bladder more difficult, such as an enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children

• Urinary catheters

• Defects in the immune system: diabetics, people undergoing chemotherapy

• Inadequate fluid intake

• Not keeping the genital area clean and dry

Methods to prevent urinary tract infection

There are different ways to prevent urinary tract infections, which include:

• Cleaning the genital area from front to back when washing after urination

• Keeping the genital area clean and dry

• Drinking enough fluids during the day, especially in hot weather

• Washing the area around the vagina before and after sex

• Urinating at the first opportunity after sexual intercourse

• Changing sanitary pads in case of incontinence or incontinence in adults

• Changing diapers in children

Dos and don'ts in urinary tract infections

• Do not use scented soaps

• Do not hold urine for a long time and use the bathroom if necessary.

• Not spending enough time in the bathroom, which leads to not emptying the bladder completely.

• Not wearing tight clothes

• Not wearing clothes with synthetic fibers such as nylon

• Avoiding alcoholic beverages that irritate the bladder

• Not consuming sugary drinks and foods to be effective in accelerating and growing bacteria

• Not using condoms or lubricant gels

Other ways to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections

If a person gets urinary tract infection more than 3 times a year, it is necessary to do other things to prevent recurrence of the infection, so research has shown that women under the age of 65 who frequently get urinary tract infections should do the following:

• Use di monose supplements, which of course are not recommended for pregnant women

• Use cranberry products.

It is important to note that di-monose and cranberries contain large amounts of sugar.